Parauranophane

This specimen features a druse of excellent, prismatic, yellow needle-like micro-crystals of parauranophane from the Rössing Uranium Mine, located in the Arandis Constituency of Namibia. Previously known as uranophane-β, this mineral was recognized as a dimorph of uranophane. In 2022, the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) officially renamed it parauranophane. While the Rössing Mine is known for producing substantial quantities of boltwoodite, specimens of uranophane minerals are far less common. This specimen looks wonderful under the microscope.

The Rössing Uranium Mine is a vast open-pit operation. Discovered in 1928, the mine produced an estimated 4,000 tons of uranium annually between 1982 and 1984, with production ranging from 2,400 to 3,800 tons of U₃O₈ per year between 2002 and 2006. Situated in the Namib Desert, approximately 70 km northeast of Swakopmund and near the town of Arandis.

*International customers: This specimen is radioactive. Please be sure your country will accept hot rocks prior to ordering. Feel free to contact me ahead of time with specific instructions or questions / concerns regarding shipping arrangements.